Medications and Drugs

GENERIC NAME: AMPICILLIN WITH SULBACTAM - INJECTION (amp-eh-SILL-in WITH sull-BACK-tam)

BRAND NAME(S): Unasyn

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

USES: This medication is an antibiotic used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections, such as skin infections, gynecological infections or infections of the abdomen.

HOW TO USE: This medication is given intravenously. It may be injected into a large muscle such as a buttock or hip or diluted in fluid and given slowly over a 30 to 60 minute period into a vein. Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Do this by using the medication at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night as prescribed. Continue to use this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow resulting in a relapse of the infection.

SIDE EFFECTS: This medication may cause diarrhea, stomach upset, gas or nausea as your body adjusts to the medication. If these effects continue or become severe, inform your doctor. The site where the injection is given may be red and irritated for a few days. Notify your doctor if the irritation continues or becomes worse. Notify your doctor if you experience: itching, chest pain, skin rash, swelling of the face/hands/feet, difficulty breathing, difficult or painful urination, dizziness, unusual bleeding or bruising, sore throat, a swollen tongue. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor if you have: other illnesses, allergies (especially to penicillin or other antibiotics). Use of this medication for prolonged or repeated periods may result in a secondary infection (e.g., oral, bladder or vaginal yeast infection). This medication contains sodium. This could affect you if you are on a salt-restricted diet or if you have a condition which could be worsened by an increase in salt intake (e.g., congestive heart failure). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information. This medication should be used only if clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Since small amounts of this medication are found in breast milk, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.